Broncos' mastery of Jets easier to enjoy than explain
By Jeff Legwold, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)
Published November 30, 2008 at 10:31 p.m.
Photo by Barry Gutierrez © The Rocky
Broncos safety Vernon Fox returns a fumble by Jets receiver Jerricho Cotchery for a touchdown during the first quarter of the teams' game.
With a three-game lead in the AFC West, what should the Broncos focus on now?
Photo by © AP
Kris Jenkins is a big reason the Jets have been so difficult to run against.
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Cold fusion. The Sopranos finale. Denver Broncos.
Go ahead, you figure those out and clear the mantel for some plaques and things.
"I can't explain it," wide receiver Brandon Stokley said. "I can't. I just know we need to figure it out, because we need to play like this all the time."
"I don't know," rookie running back Peyton Hillis said.
"I know a lot of people didn't give us a shot. Here, Atlanta, the Jets, it's the same story."
Maybe the Broncos just need to bus to home games, but they continued to confound conventional wisdom and defy the labels people have tried to affix to them. Sunday, they throttled the hottest team in the AFC - the one with a conference-best five-game winning streak heading into weekend games - beating the Jets 34-17 in Giants Stadium.
In a driving rain, with the temperature hovering just above the freezing mark, the Broncos also had only one turnover, threw for 357 yards and held the Jets without a sack.
All just seven days after a dismal 21-point loss to the Raiders. All just 14 days after a similar win in Atlanta.
"I'll really be very disappointed if we can't make this go from here," Broncos tight end Daniel Graham said. "We have to prepare ourselves, we can't have any letdowns like we did last week, we just have to carry this over to home games. We have more of an us-against-the-world mentality on the road and we need to have that kind of edge at home."
These Broncos are now 7-5 and have a three-game lead on the shattered remains of the rest of the division with only four games to play.
And with the rest of the division sitting at four (San Diego), three (Oakland) and two (Kansas City) wins, the picture gets big for this team now, despite all of the blemishes along the way.
Because now they are not simply a young team that has faced plenty of injuries in addition to a heavy dose of never-know-what-you're-going-to- get, they are on the doorstep of being a write-it- down, official playoff team.
"We're sitting pretty right now . . . ," cornerback Dre Bly said. "It's up to us to see how we go this year."
So crunch all the data the past 13 football weeks, bye included, have offered, and it's no stretch to say this Sunday will be the Broncos' toughest game of the season. That's because the 2-10 Chiefs are set to visit.
That's because the Broncos have another hefty helping of prosperity on their plate, and that's because virtually every time prosperity and a struggling team have intersected with the Broncos, it usually has meant a stumble has followed.
"We've got to be more consistent, you can't lose to teams that have two or three wins and beat teams like this and call yourself a good football team," Stokley said. "We need to execute like this every week."
Not that the Broncos will have grasped the attention of the football nation with this one - Jets quarterback Brett Favre called the Denver win a "wake-up call" for his team - but they certainly are an intriguing bunch.
And just not much for the comforts of home.
RAIN MAN
All through the evening Saturday, innumerable television outlets in the metro New York area went to great lengths, with the help of assorted weather gadgets, to warn those headed to the Jets-Broncos game Sunday how bad it was going to be outside.
And with a driving rain, at 36 degrees, it was every bit of nasty that was promised.
Yet Broncos quarterback Jay Cutler finished 27-for-43 for 357 yards and two touchdowns. He threw one interception and did not fumble.
"Made some plays with nothing there," Broncos coach Mike Shanahan said. "He kind of embraced playing in the rain. Nothing seems to bother him. . . . With Cutler, he likes throwing the wet ball, he likes playing in these conditions."
"I don't know if 'likes' is the right word," Cutler said. "But I don't mind it."
It enabled the Broncos to keep the formation open if they wished, and IT enabled them to use the game plan they had hoped to use entering the game.
Cutler said quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates, who Shanahan has said calls the plays on game day, asked early in the game if Cutler wanted to continue to throw the ball around despite the conditions.
Cutler quickly said yes, and the Broncos sped through the first half like a mudder on the rail. The Broncos scored on four of their six drives in the first half - two touchdowns, two field goals - and moved the ball at least 62 yards in all four of those scoring drives.
"Some guys can throw it in the rain, other guys can't," Shanahan said. "Jay's one of those guys that embraces the rain."
MIDDLE MEN
Center Casey Wiegmann continued to cement his standing as the Broncos' best foray into free agency this past offseason.
Facing Jets mammoth nose tackle Kris Jenkins, Wiegmann handled his business well enough to help the Broncos pound out 127 hard-earned yards on the ground, most of those coming between the tackles. Entering the game, the Jets had held five opponents to fewer than 50 yards rushing and were the league's No. 3 defense against the run. Jets coach Eric Mangini had attributed a lot of that to Jenkins' work in the middle of the field.
"We watched him on film and he was always making plays, always disrupting other teams' offenses," Broncos guard Ben Hamilton said.
Wiegmann had the 360-pound Jenkins one-on-one in the run game plenty of times Sunday, and while he did get some help from the Broncos' guards in pass protection, there were moments he battled Jenkins alone.
But the Broncos, knowing Jenkins likes to pursue plays aggressively, often let him charge hard, had Wiegmann keep pushing him out of the play and had Hillis cut back in the lane left behind.
"You can't give him a inch, you have to fight him and fight him," Wiegmann said. "I don't think there's anything I had an advantage on. You've got to get in his face and keep fighting . . . every single play. He gets on you mentally, if you're blocking him one-on-one, you're worried what he's going to do; he's a good athlete, definitely an All-Pro guy."
Jenkins was credited with no solo tackles and three assists.
Numbers game
4 times this season - including Sunday in Giants Stadium - when Cutler has thrown for at least 300 yards in a game with one or no interceptions.
A volatile market
The Broncos continue to rise up against the better teams, having beaten three teams that have eight wins or more this season.
Opponents'
Category combined W-L
In seven wins 42-42
In five losses 23-36
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November 30, 2008
11:47 p.m.
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csloan999 writes:
As well as the Broncos played, they can't start patting themselves on the back and thinking they're great, because they're not -- there's so much room left for improvement. The fact is the D is still suspect with all the big plays, the offense continues to make mistakes in the red zone, and the team becomes emotionless if they get off to a bad start. If we want to be an elite team, we need to clean up those mistakes and take things to another level.
It seems like anytime we get to our highest point, we seem to relax rather than improve. That just can't happen anymore. I want to see 4 straight wins to finish the season. If that happens, I feel good about our chances of running into the Super Bowl.
November 30, 2008
11:56 p.m.
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csloan999 writes:
Oh, and I left out another constant problem: dropped passes. There's absolutely nothing worse than dropping the ball (literally) on 3rd down and killing a drive needlessly. It has happened to us a lot this year.
And BTW, I'm not being a hater here, just providing some tough love. I'm sick of seeing this team get my hopes up and crush them the next week because they think they're better than they are. This team gets too excited after each win -- instead of praising everyone in the post-game press conferences, they need to start talking about what they can do better.
December 1, 2008
1:20 a.m.
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angryman1n writes:
Sounds like some of the players are starting to realize that they are gonna have the "butts" handed to them on a silver platter if they don't fix things now. Good on y'all. Take some responsibility.
__________________________________
Why only the one quote from the QB? Wonder if he was advised to avoid the spotlight for a while after snapping back at reporters last week? That would explain why is Agent came forward.
December 1, 2008
1:41 a.m.
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golfdoc writes:
just when your about to give up, the broncos reel you back in with a hard nosed effort. kudos to the men playing tough today. i admire the effort.
December 1, 2008
6:36 a.m.
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bronco4428 writes:
WHERE ARE ALL YOU SHANNY HATERS ???? WHERE ARE ALL YOU FLAT OUT JOKES OF FANS THAT HATE ??? I DONT HEAR OR SEE ANY OF YOU ON HERE? IM FROM NEW YORK AND BEEN A BRONCO FAN ALL MY LIFE AND WAS SITTIN IN THE FEEZING RAIN TO WATCH THIS TEAM KICK THERE A$$ ALL OVER THE FIELD.....THERE WAS 7 DEFENSIVE STARTERS FROM THE FIRST SNAP OF THE SEASON NOT ON THE FIELD AT ONE POINT OF THE GAME....DOWN TO OUR 3RD STRING INSIDE LINEBACKER...BOTH CORNERS ...2 OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS ...A HALL OF FAME CORNER....OUR STARTING SAFETY....DOWN TO A ROOKIE 7TH ROUND DRAFT PICK FULLBACK THAT WAS THE TAILBACK...AND THEY DOMINATED PLAY.....THIS YEAR IS SHANNYS BEST YEAR COACHING IN AWHILE...THIS TEAM WILL WIN THE DIVISION PLAY A PLAYOFF GAME MAYBE 2 FININSH 9-7 MAYBE 10-6 RE-TOOL THE DEFENSE NEXT YEAR AND WATCH OUT BECAUSE THE YOUNG TALENT THATS ALL OVER THIS FIELD IS CRAZY AND WE WILL BE AROUND FOR A LOOOONG TIME.....
December 1, 2008
7:10 a.m.
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hallandnash writes:
They want the key? I'll give it to them -- Focus.
They don't have it against teams they should beat - KC/Oak, etc .. but they have it against teams that they are supposed to lose to Atlanta and NYJ on the road.
This is what makes the team show it's youth... it takes experience to keep your focus. Plus it hasn't hurt that the replacements they've brought in for their injured D men have been better - most likely because they are - yes - more focused.
IOW ... watch out for next week against KC. The only positive is that they should be focused because they already have lost to them.
December 1, 2008
7:39 a.m.
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Andynonymous writes:
The reason the haters aren't out this morning is that there is nothing to hate. This is a good young team that is getting better. Amazing how Shanahan was washed up last week, Cutler was erratic and mistake-prone last week, but this week everybody's all right.
We get a couple of pieces back on defense and the offense gets more consistent, we might just win a couple of playoff games.
Even if we don't, though, next year is already looking great! Imagine Hillis back at full back - talk about a weapon! R-O-Yal in his second year, defensive rookies getting a lot of playing time this year, pushing the veterans and more capable of stepping in if needed - like Bell and Woodyard (maybe they'll be able to say his name right next year).
A lot to like about this team no matter what happens the rest of the way out. The haters will be back in force if we don't get style points against KC or we stumble in Carolina. The future looks bright over here in fan land!
December 1, 2008
7:42 a.m.
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Rutabaga writes:
YEA... WHERE ARE ALL YOU SILLY GUYS WHO HATE SHANNY. YOU LOOK PRETTY DUMB THIS WEEK. HAH... HAH HAH... HAH HAH HAH. THIS WEEK WE GET TO LAUGH AT YOU ALL WEEK LONG. SO THERE. NEXT WEEK YOU GET TO LAUGH AT US BECAUSE WE PLAY THE CHIEFS AT HOME WHERE BAD TEAMS HAVE THE ADVANTAGE. BUT IN THE MEAN TIME... HAH HAH HAH.
P.S. I THIK ITS PRETTY FUN TO WRITE REAL BIG. IT MAKES ME THINK THAT I'M SHOUTING REAL LOUD.
GO BRONCOS... HAH HAH HAH... HO HO HO
December 1, 2008
9:37 a.m.
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CGreen writes:
You guys just don't see the big picture...The Mastermind has a master plan....(you really think he's as dumb as he looks?)
Jets thought they had a "bye" this week...why? because Shanny set them up. Its called "SANDBAGGING"....(we could whip the raiders any day we want)
Losing to the worst teams in the NFL, and the "big" wins come right after.
now we need to lose the next 5 staight and we're positioned for our second playoff win in 11 years. >>>!!!
--Brilliant--
December 1, 2008
9:47 a.m.
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cpd writes:
Just think CGreen, you could be living in Detroit or San Diego
December 1, 2008
10:42 a.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
csloan999, bull. That's not tough love, it's whining. Your 2 posts include not one positive thing to say. Just complaining. The team played well and walked out of a hostile environment in bad weather and you just want to dog the team? If you would have included at least something encouraging, then maybe your rant wouldn't have sounded so much like, well, a rant.
golfdoc, nice of you to stick around, but not "all of us", were just about ready to give up.
bronco4428, wish I could have been there watching and cheering with you. It was a very promising win. Now that people can see that this young bunch has depth, maybe the whiners will shut up? Naw, wishful thinking. Too many crybabies out there.
December 1, 2008
10:43 a.m.
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MRBONG writes:
did jay cutler read my post last week? it looked like he was trying not to overthrow the ball if anything underthrowing it passing to his tightends and keeping his mouth shut? and was that a real running game i saw?and did are defense actully force 2 turnovers, i think that matches the season total or close to it ? if shanny were a baseball player hed be a homerun hitter when he hits them ,its a thing of beatuy, but when he strikes out he looks foolish ,able to hit them of the best ,and swing at the worst, this has been the strangest bronco season i can remember 3 stright home losses to teams that we were heavy favorites to beat ,and 3 stright road wins when we were the underdogs ,this team can beat anyone and they can lose to anyone...hopefully they come to play like this every week , if not i put all the blame on the coaches , GET THE JOB DONE ....NO MORE BACKSTEPPING
December 1, 2008
10:57 a.m.
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chizman69 writes:
I still hate Shanahan. This team is still a bad team. Like the saying goes- Even a blind dog will find a bone once in a while. If things stay, the way, they are. The Broncos will hav to play the Colts, in the 1st round. Theyw ill get their, you know what, handed to them. BTW- the Broncos still haven't wrapped up the division.
December 1, 2008
11 a.m.
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SE7EN writes:
Glad to get the win. SD fails to come through again. You just never know who is going to show up on Sunday. If the rest of our schedule were all road games, we'd run the table. When this offense is clicking and not turning the ball over, they're nearly unstoppable.
December 1, 2008
11:39 a.m.
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Winthrop writes:
et tu Brute!
It must be that Rocky Mt spring water, that causes the Bronc's to lay down like a dog, at the Corporate Stadium.
No doubt about it, a great win for the Bronc's that should give them something to build on "next year".
Our Pat flag is at half mast; you know, it was wet and cold.
December 1, 2008
11:42 a.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
chizman69, man, you are a real piece of work. So you think SD will still catch us and win the division? Man, your optimism is laughable. Oh, and Broncos fans don't care whether you like Shanahan or not. Go back to your SD blog. Jets don't think we're a bad team. 1st place at 7-5 says they're a good team. Don't be so sure about the Colts. They said the Jets would smoke us, as well. See how that turned out? I'm sure you thought SD would beat Atlanta, huh? See how that worked out? Your theories have been busts. Your opinion carries no weight.
December 1, 2008
11:43 a.m.
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joggle writes:
It seems like the Broncos are both a good team and a bad time. Very bizarre. I wonder which team will show up this Sunday.
December 1, 2008
11:45 a.m.
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RockLobster writes:
Careful, chizman, you're going to get dave's panties in a twist. He'll most certainly put his pom-pom's down long enough to let you know just what a tool you are for saying anything negative about the Bronco's. Heaven forbid people are allowed to speak their peace without the #1 cheer leader taking offense.
As for the game, how awesome was it to see the Bronc's shut up those obnoxious New Yorker's? I didn't watch the entire game but I don't recall hearing "J-E-T-S, blah, blah, blah" once!
December 1, 2008
11:46 a.m.
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RockLobster writes:
Too late!
December 1, 2008
11:55 a.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
RockLobster, I know a good win when I see it. When someone cries that the Broncos stink and are a bad team when we obviously are in 1st place, plus just won a big game that nobody picked us to win and screams for Shanahans head, I'll be the 1st to speak up in their defense. Chizman speaks negative, no matter how good the Broncos play. Don't care if you or anyone else talks negative. Negative has it's place when Denver gets smoked, but not after a big win. Then it's not being simply negative, it's being a whiner and complaining simply to get a rise out of the fans.
December 1, 2008
12:03 p.m.
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LingLingfor_prez writes:
Go Chargers! I thought I posted a comment but it isn't there. Although I don't like Shanny, the Shanny haters usually come out after a loss, any kind of loss. Followed by calls to fire the cheerleaders and everyone else and probably the waterboy too. I hope the Chargers don't get the same season record as the Raiders. Things could always be worse. For now, I will just look on to next season and follow basketball instead where my Blazers look promising. By the way, you might go further in the playoffs if you send Marshall on vacation early. I got it...drop...Now I have this one...drop.
December 1, 2008
12:03 p.m.
Suggest removal
KCBRONCOFAN writes:
Ok Broncos, you're done with the Jets. You've embarrased me once this year against the Might, Might Chiefs. Give us all a break and don't do it again this Sunday. Ok?
December 1, 2008
12:04 p.m.
Suggest removal
xxx writes:
Andy I agree with you, next year looks real good if we shore up that
defensive line. However, the GREAT QB's in this league are consistent. Yes Cutler had a good game..can he do it twice?
December 1, 2008
12:16 p.m.
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bronc4evah writes:
Dynamicdave, there is a reason that Chizman knows a thing or two about not being any good. Seems he has a real need to transfer blame for his own shortcomings to prop up his lame ego. If the team plays well and the coaches do a great job, well, that ego could never admit being wrong and of course, it was only luck or because the other team messed up. He probably grew up hearing what a loser he was and now he feels he must share his crap with the rest of us.
December 1, 2008
12:17 p.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
LingLingfor_prez, yeah, Marshal needs to sneak some stickem on his gloves. He has had a real hard time hanging on to the ball. I don't know if he's trying to turn upfield before he secures the ball or what, but I hope the coaches work with him on this. I also, don't know how far Denver will get in the playoffs, but I will never concede that it will be "1 and done", because I just don't know that. We dislike the whiners who, win Denver loses, are whining and complaining constantly. When Denver wins in a close game, they whine and complain about how Denver "got lucky". When Denver wins big, like yesterday, they STILL whine and complain, simply because it's their nature. They could go to bed with Jessica Alba, yet still find a reason to complain? Sad.
December 1, 2008
12:19 p.m.
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JMH writes:
As for the game, how awesome was it to see the Bronc's shut up those obnoxious New Yorker's? I didn't watch the entire game but I don't recall hearing "J-E-T-S, blah, blah, blah" once!" - Rock
Umm they do it after every score. They scored 17 points. You do the math. At least it isn't as goofy as that annoying "in-com-plete" chant that goes on in Donkeyland. Dude, even Bronco fans I know that come from out of town to see a game hate that chant!
You say that NY'ers are obnoxious fans? Maybe... But Bronco fans gotta be the worst "bandwagon jumping, fair-weathered fans" in the NFL... every win is a bunch of Super Bowl talk and such... every loss is "I aint gonna watch these guys anymore, fire everyone, etc., etc."
Congrats... But I hate to break it to you guys, but this was the worst game the Jets have played all year in all three phases... The Broncos won, but don't get all excited.
They just caught the Jets believing their own hype and on a bad day (with very bad defensive play calling... Why no blitzing from the Jets? They were in almost a prevent all day for some reason... Everyone in the NFL knows that all you have to do is hit Cutler a few times and he starts forcing things, getting frustrated and making mistakes. Mangini obviously didn't do his homework for this game)... After two huge wins back to back against the Patriots and the Titans on the road, this loss is probably just what the Jets needed for their playoff run...
The Broncos? They will probably just lose to the Chiefs next week. They will end up 9-7 and be one and done in the playoffs... You could probably bet on it...
December 1, 2008
12:22 p.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
bronc4evah, agreed. Are you paying attention, RockLobster? If people want to write in to bash the Broncos, expect us to respond to their remarks in kind. Offering constructive criticism is one thing, being a negative basher is simply whining and stirring up the pot. Maybe someday you'll understand the difference?
December 1, 2008
12:26 p.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
JMH, my problem with the Jets fans was simply this. Whenever a Broncos D went down from an injury, the fans would boo the player as if he went down deliberately or was faking? I never boo an injury, EVER! That is horrible sportsmanship and just plain WRONG!
December 1, 2008
12:26 p.m.
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jugdish writes:
Any playoff appearance for this young team is a huge thing.
The "stars" on the offense have 3 or fewer years of experience.
QB-Cutler-3
RB-Hillis-Rookie
WR-Marshall-3
WR-Royal-Rookie
TE-Scheffler-3
LT-Clady-Rookie
RT-Harris-3
Compare that group to other teams looking at the playoffs. None has that experience level (or lack of it).
As to their success, a lot goes to talent. And a lot goes to being well coached.
The offense is the positive side of this football team. Despite Hillis playing well, the team still needs to look at RB, a third WR and depth on the interior of the OL and 1 more reliable backup tackle.
The OL has been outstanding and only looks to get better.
Now to the defense. This is where the "bashing" starts.
The D has been gashed and picked apart all year. Even during the wins. Too many big runs. Too many blown assignments.
Many feel the future of this defense is a move to the 3-4. I don't know about that. But there are some decent players on the defensive side of the ball. Champ and DJ Williams are the foundation. Woodyard and Larsen have looked good filling in for the injured. But there are many question marks. Jarvis Moss must come to the party. Would he fit better as an outside backer along with Woodyard? Maybe DJ and Larsen in the middle? Or is Woodyard a strong safety type? I think this team desperately needs a passionate leader in the middle (like we had with Al Wilson and Romo). Two highly regarded MLBs may be available in the draft (Maualuga & Laurenitis) sp? Denver also needs a ballhawk safety. In fact they need 2 safeties. As for the DL, I don't want to see the Broncos blow another pick on a DL. It seems unless you pick higher up, its a real crapshoot. And even then you can miss badly. But it seems different for many of the LBs or Safeties who've been drafted high. Many are now starters... some even Pro Bowlers. Maybe the Broncos need to fill those DL spots with mean, scrappy, athletic overachievers. Blue-collar types with nothing to lose and everything to gain. It seems all the money and picks the Broncos have put into the DL have been for nothing. Very little return. Safeties and LB seem like the safer more productive picks.
December 1, 2008
12:31 p.m.
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psychoChicken writes:
JMH, any odds on your prediction of the Den-KC game next week? Seriously, what are the chances of KC winning 2 consecutive games this season?
December 1, 2008
12:33 p.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
Jugdish, I agree, the D needs some work, next year. Find those "diamonds in the rough". Get the hungry kids in there who are still playing for the love of the game. I believe they are going to put a cap on salary of a rookie in the draft. Hopefully, Torain will be healthy and stay that way, next year. We have the 3rd wideout in Stokley. But we need another Royal back there, as well. Our TE's are set.
December 1, 2008
12:33 p.m.
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JMH writes:
"JMH, my problem with the Jets fans was simply this. Whenever a Broncos D went down from an injury, the fans would boo the player as if he went down deliberately or was faking? I never boo an injury, EVER! That is horrible sportsmanship and just plain WRONG!" _ Rock
Because the fans knew what was going on... The "hurt" Broncos WERE faking it, every player that got hurt returned to the game right after... The Jets were in a hurry-up, big D-Linemen were huffing and puffing and the Broncos D was on it's heels... So what do the Broncos do? Fake an injury to slow things down so the Broncos could make defensive substituions, give their players a rest, etc.
I would agree with you if they started booing the first time it happened, but it happened what, 5 or 6 times... everytime right after the Jets made a big play and were driving... Come on...
December 1, 2008
12:46 p.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
The injuries were real JMH. I saw the replays. Like when Dre got his ankle whacked or when another player came down on his head, or when another got rolled over and twisted his ankle. They may not have been kept them out of the game, like Larsens injury, but they were "hobbled" nevertheless. Look at the replays. I dread looking at the injury report, when it comes out.
December 1, 2008
1 p.m.
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JMH writes:
I'm just saying... Maybe some were real... but the timing and frequency were quite suspect... If the tables were reversed, I'm sure I would be hearing the same things.
I know I was thinking the same thing after about the 3rd player went down right after a big play, one after the other after the other... Too coincidental
Shanny may want to reconsider his training methods... If all were legit, his team seems to be made of glass and needs some toughening up!
P.S.
Pychochicken... I wouldn't put money on it (I said probably) but I would say the odds of the Broncos losing to the Cheifs is about 50-50... Considering the injury report we should all apparently expect from the Broncos. That and the Chiefs always seem to have the Broncos number for some reason. But on the bright side, you can always count on Herm Edwards to do something stupid if it is close at the end of the game...
December 1, 2008
1:32 p.m.
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blm69 writes:
Broncos need to treat the chiefs game at home as if it were a playoff game. It should be the easiest of all the remaining games and a victory would surely mean a division title.
December 1, 2008
1:32 p.m.
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Deadwingsuck writes:
The "Mastery" of kickin an old QB down!! LOL
December 1, 2008
1:36 p.m.
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LingLingfor_prez writes:
Dynamicdave,
I would just figure the jets fans in the same category as the eagles. They just hate everybody. That east coast thinking you know? Go Chargers!
December 1, 2008
1:39 p.m.
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MRBONG writes:
JMH say all you want about the broncos , youre probally still mad we kicked the snot out of the jets in the afc championship game 10 years ago , and how many playoff wins do the jets have in the last 30 years lol i think i can count it on 1 hand, the jets have been and always will be a joke franchise, and after farve bolts this year youre gonna stink for a long, long time , so this is youre 1 shot this year, and you just got youre butts kicked by a team of rookies at home, the broncos have a bright, bright future what do the jets have? chances are youre not gonna find a quarterback with the skills of a jay cutler in the next 5-10-20 years ,have fun watching the broncos win multiple superbowls while youre sorry jets stink just like they have for the last 35 years!
December 1, 2008
1:43 p.m.
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discer writes:
As a forty plus year Bronco fan in my opinion this is a relatively young team that it going to be inconsistent at times. If they truly are growing and learning they should not go into the next game overconfident or unfocused. The real exciting thing for me to watch is the way that these mostly obscure and young gentlemen, who are playing their tails off and making big plays to boot. New leaders will emerge and the team will be much better off in the long run for what the have gone through this season. Mike Shanahan in my opinion is without a doubt the finest coach that the Broncos have ever had and one of the best ever in the NFL and a definite Hall of Fame coach!
December 1, 2008
2:32 p.m.
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RegularJoe writes:
I hate to say this, but Jay Cutler may have only one or two more good years left. Or, this may be his best year. People who don't understand diabetes do not know what a toll it takes on a person's physical abilities - - even when it is managed carefully.
I'm no doctor, but I've known several good athletes, including my older brother, with diabetes who had lost their edge by the age of 30. I've seen that blank, stiff-faced stare that comes over Cutler's face on those days when he's not performing well, and I'll bet his blood sugar has been out of the normal range every time(either low or high will do it). It's sad to say, but that could be the most logical explanation for the wide gap between his good performances and his worst ones.
His diabetes could also explain why he performs better when it's cold. Two of the guys I've known couldn't even function in hot weather, but were at their best when it was cold.
Anyway, I think he deserves a tremendous amount of credit for going out and competing like he does, though I'm afraid the odds are stacked against his having a very long career
December 1, 2008
3:17 p.m.
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csloan999 writes:
Dave, you need to learn the difference between "whining" and constructive criticism. The latter is the reason the team will get better if they listen and work on it in practice. The former is your token response to anyone who wants this team to get better.
All these articles nicely lay out what the Broncos did well, but not a single one offers room for improvement. That's why I didn't waste time with praise. What are the Broncos supposed to do all week if they think they're awesome and did nothing wrong this week and have nothing to improve on? The fact is we need to improve if we want to be Super Bowl contenders. After all of our impressive wins this year, we spend more time patting ourselves on the back than trying to get better. Like I said before, I'm thrilled with the way we played, but there's still little things that can be easily corrected if they focus on them in practice. If you think no one should talk about those things, then you're really missing the bigger picture.
December 1, 2008
3:47 p.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
csloan999 , I think you need to read my posts, a little closer. I said and I quote: "I also, don't know how far Denver will get in the playoffs, but I will never concede that it will be "1 and done", because I just don't know that. We dislike the whiners who, when Denver loses, are whining and complaining constantly. When Denver wins in a close game, they whine and complain about how Denver "got lucky". When Denver wins big, like yesterday, they STILL whine and complain, simply because it's their nature. They could go to bed with Jessica Alba, yet still find a reason to complain? Sad." I also said and I quote: "Chizman speaks negative, no matter how good the Broncos play. Don't care if you or anyone else talks negative. Negative has it's place when Denver gets smoked, but not after a big win. Then it's not being simply negative, it's being a whiner and complaining simply to get a rise out of the fans." The way I see it, csloan999, is that you don't come to this blog that often to see these same people whine and complain EVERY SINGLE GAME! Nothing "constructive" about their rants. They scream for the sake of badgering the fans. They offer nothing to the plate to solve a problem, only to scream for Shanahans head, even after we blew out the Jets, they complained with not one compliment. That irritates me. So as far as not knowing the difference between whining and constructive criticism, I know better then you give me credit for. Trust me, I've spoken about the Broncos bar that I go to. We chant the "Here we go Broncos, here we go", and pound the tables, etc. We talk to each other about bad plays, busted plays, players who need to step up or get off, but we don't suffer from the whining bashers who claim to be Broncos fans. We tell them in no uncertain way to shut up. We're there, win or lose, to have a good time, not to hear the crybabies complain, scream that they should fire Shanahan, etc. These people don't just casually mention their thoughts, they scream it so the whole bar hears them, "Fire Shanahan!" Not a smart move to yell in a bar of Broncos fans, especially when they claim to be a Broncos fan, themselves. You don't seem to get my stand in this, which is cool, that's your opinion, but the majority of the people at the bar, agree with me and that's all I need to know. They can be constructive, but bring something to the plate as a solution or shut up.
December 1, 2008
4:27 p.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
RegularJoe, I'm sure the coaches have a handle on Jays diabetes. If they even thought that his levels are bad, they would not let him play. They would never risk his life to win a game. They monitor throughout the game. Constantly. The diabetes is not an issue with him, at this point. Also, he is on a proper diet, is in good, physical shape and he can have a very productive career. Yes, we all worry for him, but I feel in my heart that he will be fine. One of my students from martial arts class (I'm retired) is a diabetic. She is 13 and doing well. She is one of the best students in class. She takes great care of herself and is monitored often. She has never had a problem in class in the 7 years she's been with us. We can only hope that Jay continues to take care of himself. It's not like he'll be playing for 20 years. Just enough to win some SB's, get the ring and a HOF bust. We can only hope, right?
December 1, 2008
5:24 p.m.
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discer writes:
We are the fans. We are not the players. They are the Broncos. Unless you play for the team, We is not proper!
They have to improve but they are working on it. Good luck to them the rest of the season.
Keep up the banter fellas. It is fun to read when I have the time!
December 1, 2008
5:35 p.m.
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fastnloose writes:
Cutlers diet and workout scheme is probably better than most of the guys in the NFL.At least he is not partying in the bars all nite(Plaxico Burress) and loading up on junk food. Go Broncos!
December 1, 2008
6:33 p.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
discer, get a grip. Nobody cares about being "politically correct". "We" pay their salary when "we" buy tickets to the games, NFL jerseys, beer at the game, food, PPV for NFL Sunday Ticket. "We" can refer to "them" anyway "we" choose to. "We" bring them into our homes Thursdays, Sundays and Mondays. "We" are like one, large family. Political correctness like that will be overruled, 9 out of 10 times. Everyone I know uses the "we" as a term to refer to their team. Stop nit-picking. Other then that, I enjoyed your comment on the Broncos, from the earlier posting. I agree, Shanahan is a great coach with a great football mind. "We" are playoff bound, this year, ha, ha.
December 1, 2008
6:51 p.m.
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Dynamicdave writes:
discer, almost forgot the most important thing. "We" yell at the game and cause false starts, etc.. "We are the unheralded "12th man".